Aviation enthusiasts and community members, mark your calendars for the 2024 Festival of Flight. The event is set to make its much-anticipated return to Long Beach Airport (LGB) on Saturday, October 19, as it draws the centennial celebrations of the airport to a close. Offering a plethora of attractions, including static aircraft displays and live entertainment, the festival promises to be a full day of excitement for attendees of all ages.
The free public event, which previously went by the name Fly-In, has been a fixed tradition since 2013 when it kicked off to commemorate the airport's 90th anniversary. As reported by Long Beach's official website, this year's event will feature helicopter rides available for purchase, alongside the static aircraft displays, and will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the west end of the airfield at 3590 East Wardlow Road.
Attendees can look forward to a varied line-up of aircraft, which includes the KC-46 Pegasus, the historic Flabob Express DC-3, and a unique operational Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, among others. The event is not only about aircraft as attendees will be entertained by the Satin Dollz, DJ Dennis, and AbSOULute. "Festival of Flight is an all-encompassing showcase of our historic Airport and our City’s unique spirit," Fourth District Councilman Daryl Supernaw told Long Beach's press release, emphasizing the familial and communal tradition embedded in the festival.
For convenience, free parking will be made available at the corner of East Wardlow Road and Globemaster Way beginning at 9 a.m., with overflow parking at 3880 Kilroy Airport Way. A shuttle service will also be in operation to ferry visitors to and from the festival. Keeping an eye on environmental sustainability, alternative modes of transportation such as cycling, carpooling, ridesharing, and public transportation are being highly encouraged, as mentioned on the city's Festival of Flight page.
